What is carvedilol?

Carvedilol is a beta-blocker. Beta-blockers affect the heart and circulation (blood flow through arteries and veins).

Carvedilol is used to treat heart failure and hypertension (high blood pressure). It is also used after a heart attack that has caused your heart not to pump as well.

Carvedilol may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information

You should not take carvedilol if you have asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, severe liver disease, or a serious heart condition such as heart block, "sick sinus syndrome," or slow heart rate (unless you have a pacemaker).

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Avoid drinking alcohol within 2 hours before or after taking extended-release carvedilol (Coreg CR). Also avoid taking medicines or other products that might contain alcohol. Alcohol may cause the carvedilol in Coreg CR to be released too quickly into the body.

If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using carvedilol even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.

Before taking this medicine

You should not take carvedilol if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

asthma, bronchitis, emphysema;

severe liver disease; or

a serious heart condition such as heart block, "sick sinus syndrome," or slow heart rate (unless you have a pacemaker).

To make sure carvedilol is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

diabetes (taking carvedilol can make it harder for you to tell when you have low blood sugar);

angina (chest pain);

liver or kidney disease;

a thyroid disorder;

pheochromocytoma (tumor of the adrenal gland);

circulation problems (such as Raynaud's syndrome); or

a history of allergies.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether carvedilol will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.

It is not known whether carvedilol passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are taking carvedilol.

How should I take carvedilol?

Take carvedilol exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Carvedilol works best if you take it with food.

You may open the carvedilol capsule and sprinkle the medicine into a spoonful of pudding or applesauce to make swallowing easier. Swallow right away without chewing. Do not save the mixture for later use. Discard the empty capsule.

Take carvedilol at the same time every day. Do not skip doses or stop taking carvedilol without first talking to your doctor. Stopping suddenly may make your condition worse.

If you are switched from carvedilol tablets to carvedilol extended-release capsules (Coreg CR), your daily total dose of this medicine may be higher or lower than before. Older adults may be more likely to become dizzy or feel faint when switching from tablets to extended-release capsules. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Your blood pressure will need to be checked often.

If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using this medication even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.

If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using carvedilol. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.

You should not stop using carvedilol suddenly. Stopping suddenly may make your condition worse.

Carvedilol can affect your pupils during cataract surgery. Tell your eye surgeon ahead of time that you are using this medication. Do not stop using carvedilol before surgery unless your surgeon tells you to.

Carvedilol is only part of a complete program of treatment for hypertension that may also include diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely if you are being treated for hypertension.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking carvedilol?

Carvedilol may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

Drinking alcohol can further lower your blood pressure and may increase certain side effects of carvedilol. You should especially avoid drinking alcohol within 2 hours before or after taking extended-release carvedilol (Coreg CR).

Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.

Carvedilol side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to carvedilol: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Extended-release capsules:
Initial dose: 20 mg orally once a day for 7 to 14 days. If tolerated, may increase dosage to 40 mg orally once a day, then again to 80 mg orally once a day after 7 to 14 days.

Maximum dose: 80 mg per day

Usual Adult Dose for Left Ventricular Dysfunction:

Immediate-release tablets:
Initial dose: 6.25 mg orally twice a day (an initial dosage of 3.25 mg twice daily can be given to patients unable to tolerate the initial dosage).

Maintenance dose: If tolerated, the initial dosage may be titrated to 12.5 mg twice a day after 3 to 10 days to a target dose of 25 mg twice a day.

Extended-release capsules:
Initial dose: 20 mg orally once a day (an initial dosage of 10 mg once daily can be given to patients unable to tolerate the initial dosage). If tolerated, may increase dosage to 40 mg after 3 to 10 days, then again to 80 mg orally once a day.

What other drugs will affect carvedilol?

Other drugs may interact with carvedilol, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.

Related treatment guides

Where can I get more information?

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use carvedilol only for the indication prescribed.

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